Smoking in parks to get snuffed?

The days of lighting up in a Raleigh city park could soon be a thing of the past. Tuesday, the Raleigh City Council will consider an outdoor smoking ban in parks.

The idea is getting a mixed reaction from citizens. Some say a ban outside is unnecessary.

"It's a big park, lots of fresh air. Someone wants to have a cigarette, I'm sure there's plenty of room for a person who doesn't want that smoke to move over a few steps," offered non-smoker Jonathan Braverman in an interview with ABC11 Monday.

Clean air advocates applaud the proposal - saying it not only cuts down on the potential for an unwelcome breath of smoke filled air, but would mean fewer cigarette butts around areas children play.

So will a no smoking ordinance include a fine?

"I guess that's potentially possible. My experience has been when you ask people not to smoke, they're very courteous about it and do not smoke," said Mayor Charles Meeker.

A ban would be a huge step for the capitol of a state where tobacco was once king.

"But things have really changed in North Carolina. In part because the tobacco companies don't manufacture much here much anymore, and less tobacco is grown here," said Meeker.